The Albums You Need to Know About Every Week
This week is a clever mixed-bag of releases, with sounds ranging from highly experimental, to hardcore punk, to bubblegum pop. Several of the bands below have tweaked their sound in ways that may surprise you, challenging both themselves and their listeners. Most notably, Thurston Moore of indie icons Sonic Youth is debuting his new band, and, of course, we’ve been dying to get our paws on the new Youth Lagoon.
Suuns – Images du Futur
The dark, electronic sound of Suuns is back on their sophomore release this week. The new record features the sound of suppressed explosions through sleepy vocals, clockwork beats, and simple, progressive guitars. Images du Futur is creepy and tense, and if you like your rock laced with slightly gothic, starkly experimental vibes, you’re going to eat this one up.
Youth Lagoon – Wondrous Bughouse
Expanding the scope of his 2011 debut, Trevor Powers is back with a bigger and bolder sophomore release. The sound is very much the same ambient, synth-layered cloth wrapped around simple melodies, but the themes here are more mature and introspective. Here we find Youth Lagoon exploring spirituality and death in a very listenable, light way that makes for an ever-engaging and marvelous listen.
The Men – New Moon
Brooklyn rock-and-rollers The Men are back with their fourth full-length, an album that retains their messy, off-kilter style. Holed up in the Catskills to record, the result is a personal, light-hearted and country-tinged punk rock release. At their roots, both country and punk share an appreciation for things raw and imperfect, and The Men are masters of both.
Chelsea Light Moving – Chelsea Light Moving
Thurston Moore’s new project, Chelsea Light Moving, is proof that he’s still very much alive and kicking. Heavier and more brash than Sonic Youth, this debut finds him in a youthful rage, sticking mainly to variations of punk and metal with occiasionally lighter moments. While this may sound like a mash-up of many different loud elements, Moore’s musicianship combined with the new band’s energy are what make it somehow totally work.
The Cave Singers – Naomi
Seattle indie-folk outfit The Cave Singers are returning with their fourth studio release in five years, once again showcasing their knack for crafting beautiful songs. This time around, they’re breaking a bit of new ground by changing up guitar styles within some of the tracks to sometimes invoke blues and 1960s mellow rock. Throughout this new territory, though, the band remained true to the organic roots rock we’ve grown to love, making Naomi yet another dazzling release.
Javelin – Hi Beams
Almost three years have passed since the release of Javelin’s last full-length, but this week they’ve dropped their first studio-recorded album, a more well-rounded release than their previous work. They’ve also transitioned from sample-based electronica to more of a pop-based electronica, making for a more focused but still deliciously groovy sound.
Bastille – Bad Blood
British boy-pop darlings Bastille are finally presenting us with their debut. This album is fully prepared to slay hearts, much like they’ve been doing for a while now in the UK. Bad Blood is a record full of radio-ready singles, with heart and hooks aplenty. Given how undeniably addictive and talented this band is, you should brace yourself for a record that could very well begin Bastille-mania.
